beck72

STEVE BISHEFF, Orange County Register columnist wrote in today's paper that Torii Hunter and Vernon Wells are reportedly on the trading block. He mentioned those two names as possible targets for Ana. as they might move Garret Anderson back to LF. Though the Twins wouldn't trade Hunter to the Sox, I could see them trading Hunter. Hunter hasn't been that happy w/ the Twins not spending cash on the team. With the successful trade of AJ for Nathan, etc, GM Ryan might try and strike gold again. The Twins are bound to get burned by trading proven players who start making a little money for prospects and question marks. Vernon Wells though? I know the kid Rios did well for them this yr. But Wells was absolutely murder vs the Sox in 2003. He's a stud who had a down yr. I don't know much about his defense but he can hit.

Freak injuries are one thing. If he were a pitcher and had arm injuires, sure stay away from him. But if he has injuries that don't affect his future, he could be worth a chance if he could be gotten w/o much talent. BTW, his low avg was in his rookie year.

Chavez at least is a CFer. Harris plays 2b. Can Chavez approach what he did in AAA 2002? If he could, he'd be a solid addition. Chavez wouldn't cost much in terms of talent either. BTW, many Latin players improve their batting eye in the majors as they get older.

A few reasons: Ana could use power rather than speed. Figgins may not have a regular position Ana has Robb Quinlan as a UTL guy Eckstein does many of the things Figgins does

Winn isn't much of a fielder. Esp his arm. Aaron is a better CFer.

Endy Chavez is a young [26], improving, CFer. In 2002 in AAA, Chavez hit .343/ .392/.467 in 405 ab's in the International League, with 33 bb's to 37 SO's. Not too bad in my book. When was the last time a Sox prospect hit close to .400 in that many AB's [i don't count Willie's 100 ab's] in the IL? the past two years: '03--.251/.294/.354 18 sb's 7 CS '04--.277/.318/.371 32 sb's , 7 cs Is he an Allstar? No. Will he improve? Probably. Will he learn more patience at the plate? Probably. Does he have a ton of speed? Yes. Everyone knows the big names. Chavez could be a guy that helps and has a breakout year.

Can everyone take their personal crap elsewhere?

Because he doesn't have a full time spot for Ana.

Don't know that he'd have much of a say in where he goes and where he plays. He can't veto a trade.

Chavez has shown some qualities lacking on the Sox--good d, speed. Not saying he's the answer. But wanted to get some constructive feedback. And he started for the Expos.

Welcome to soxtalk! I'm not sure how GM's do business. But reports that the Sox are interested in going after Beltran has been national [espn, sporitng news, sports Weekly, etc] not just local. Yet having GM's come to the Sox with proposed deals makes sense. "I've got a CFer--you interested?" should lower the cost than KW going to them. "I want your CFer". Teams know PK and Lee could be had, as KW must have spread the word. Teams will come to KW for this. I'm sure if word leaks out that players from other teams are available, then GM's will contact that team. Also, getting Beltran for the right price wouldn't be a bad idea. Prospects might not pan out, so why not go w/ a sure thing. Stud CFers like Beltran are hard to find. Yet getting a very good one is a little easier.

Any more info on him than just "no"?

Bost. should make some changes. Damon has been horrible vs the Yankeees. Could write his ticket out of town if Bos loses. Maybe Bos. will go for Beltran. Can't see them letting the Yanks sign him as well.

Hairston's a good name. Versatile as well. RF, 2B. Did he play CF or LF? Too bad he doesn't hit LH. Has Hairston hit leadoff at all?

Getting a proven CFer like Pierre or Posednik would still fit in with the "win now" thinking. They'd be around for a year or two until Anderson and Sweeney were ready. The only thing is which CFer's on other teams would fit the Sox needs [a leadoff type, LH hitter with speed]. I've come up w/ several. the two I mentioned. But also: Endy Chavez, Mon. Chone Figgins, Ana [if he can play a decent CF] Anyone else have any thoughts?

I don't doubt the sox would like to sign carlos Beltran for $13-15 mill a yr. With his versatility, speed, power and defense, he'd be a good fit for the Sox. Yet with Brian anderson and Ryan Sweeney a year or two away, why would they get Beltran for 5 years, esp with rowand coming into his own? Skeptics will point to this being a "red herring", designed to trick Sox fans into believing management wanted to spend "big money but things didn't work out. I think a bigger motive is more likely. Telling the league that the sox are interested in Beltran, with the intent to move rowand to either LF or RF, is more geared toward striking a deal with the other GM's. It lets them know the sox would be willing to listen to offers for a speedy CFer. With Beltran's price and lengthy contract, [he'd be fine for $15 mill, yet the 5 years would be hard w/ anderson able to fill in next year but 2006 for sure], getting a CFer like Pierre or Posednik for a year or two is more reasonable than signing Beltran for 5 yrs. That would give the Sox time to ease in Anderson and Sweeney. Though I do see Anderson in the OF mix for 2005, if he's healthy

Getting a CFer, via trade, seems the best way to add speed and a leadoff hitter to the lineup. The key is could the Sox give the Marlins an "offer they can't refuse", knowing what Pierre would give the sox? I'd be willing to bet the sox could strike a deal w/ FLa. Castillo hit leadoff for them a lot in 2004. I have no problem w/ a PK or Lee trade, as long as they replace them with proven guys

LoDuca is ARB eligible and will be resigned by FLA. FLA doesn't have a C

The sox might not need a SS if they got Lowell though. Going with a young SS like Uribe makes sense if they have a vet next to him at 3B. But the Sox still would need to add some speed and a LH bat somewhere.

I guess I never talked about Dye and Guzman. Dye--no. The sox already have an older OFer in Everett. Guzman--only if other options fell through [Vizquel, another vet at 3B, 2B or SS] and he came cheap. He's a bottom of the order type free swinger. The Sox need a more patient hitter, who can hit near the top of the order. Now, if the sox could get a top of the order guy at another position [say Pierre in CF], then Guzman wouldn't be bad.

Lowell won't likely become a FA. The Marlins can trade him before Nov. 1st. If they do so, Lowell would be signed for 3 yrs and $25 mill to the team he's traded to. Instead of signing Lowell as a FA, the Sox could trade for him. If Lowell is a leader, like he's talked about being, the sox are short on those, and Ozzie has like what he's seen in him, go for it. The cost might only be Crede, a prospect and a reserve [like Borchard or Timo Perez]. Crede is valuable, and fits in with FLA. They have guys set to make $75 mill and need to get team salary down to under $60 mill. FLA is likely to get less for Lowell than market value, as they only have two weeks to make a deal. Yet if they don't trade him, they'd only get 2 comp. picks. Check the link here, Lowell thinks he's gone. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-low...la-sports-front If the Sox got Lowell, they likely would only need to add a SS like Vizquel, and fix the pitching. With a trade of Lee, his salary would be doable. The key is, is Lowell a leader? If he is, the sox should do it. Crede may turn out OK [i think he will]. Yet the sox have too many question marks and need some position players who will be around for a few years.

That's what I'm saying. If the Sox can't sign Vizquel, who else is there? Uribe should stay the UTL guy, and be back up in case of injury and Crede/ Harris poor play insurance. Vizquel would seem the ideal SS-two yrs, a #2 hitter, speed, defense, a switchhitter. Yet I don't know what other direction the sox would go at SS if not Omar. Say they make Uribe the SS then. What FA could play 2B and 3B? Placido Polanco. But he hits RH, doesn't steal bases. The Sox would have to get another speed guy who hits LH somewhere else

Uribe should also be insurance in case Willie or Joe are piss poor in 2005. Most teams can't make trades in season for a position player without dramatically overpaying. Yet Uribe could be the long term solution at SS Getting a short term fix for 2 years like Vizquel [or an Eckstein if Ana lets him go] makes more sense than getting a SS who the Sox aren't sold on for 3 + years like Guzman. But I'm thinking, who else is out there if Vizquel goes elsewhere, and Eckstein stays? What vet could be a one year stop gap? Craig Counsell I don't think should be starting. I know FLA would love to get rid of Alex Gonzalez [makes too much $, and I think they have a SS, Josh Wilson who's just about ready--playing in the aFL], though he doesn't match up w/ what the sox need. But if it meant the sox could get Pierre, that would be a possibility.

CHARLES Thomas may improve somewhat. Yet being so young, he still should benefit from hitting down in the order. Few teams have or want basically a rookie hitting 2nd. Certainly no one comes to mind. Most are vets or guys who have proven themselves in the majors. Unless ATL picks up another #2 hitter, I don't see who they currently have that fits what Giles gave them--good contact, speed, close to a .300 avg. Now if there are rumblings that Vizquel would go to ATL or had any ties there, then that would solve the need for a #2 hitter and a Furcal replacement. However, it looks more likely the Sox would go after Vizquel. The key is would Vizquel have interest in coming here. My guess is yes, as the sox could offer a 2 yr deal, and fit his taste for playing w/ a contender.

Thomas should be a 7 or 8 hitter until he proves himself.